Misbah hopeful of Pakistan win tomorrow

Published: Saturday, November 17, 2007, 20:14 [IST]

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Jaipur, Nov 17 (UNI) Pakistan batsman Misbah ul-Haq today hoped that his team will win tomorrow in the last one-dayer so that ''we go into the Test series against India with a positive frame of mind.'' ''It will not be correct to say that we have been outplayed, except for the Gwalior match, other three were very closely contested and first and third ODIs could have gone in our favour,'' he said in reply to a question that this is the weakest Pakistan team to visit India.

''Win or defeat is part of the game and at this stage Indians are winning but that does not mean that we are playing bad cricket,'' he said.

Misbah admitted that he has not been able to convert his start into big scores or has not been able to finish matches in his team's favour.

''I am coming at sixth or seventh and usually left with ten or 12 overs and in which I have not been able to do what is expected of me.'' He said, ''We are a young side, our captain is young, it will take some time for the team to settle down'' and added ''we are trying our best.'' The batsman agreed with a question that the opening pair has not yet settled down but did not accept the view that bringing Shahid Afridi as an opener in one of the matches was a wrong move.

''Afridi was asked to open given the conditions and it was team management's decision.'' Asked if his team has any plans to deal with Dhoni-Yuvraj duo who are becoming very dangerous for Pakistan team and Misbah replied, ''Well they are not only dangerous for Pakistan but for all the teams the way they are batting.'' He hailed Sachin Tendulkar's performance in the series so far and said, ''He is one of the best batsmen in the game at present.'' He denied that Pakistan was depending too much on Younis-Yousuf duo saying, ''Well, Yousuf is a world class batsman and Younis is also very experienced so it is but natural that team looks up to them the same way Indians look up to Sachin, but others like Salman Butt and too some extent myself have also contributed.'' Misbah said Shoaib Akhtar is getting into his rhythm.''He has been out of action for long and it takes time for a bowler to get back into his grooves.'' He said in case India rested some experienced players like Sachin or Sourav tomorrow ''it will give us some advantage, that is for sure'' and concluded ''we will like to come back strongly in the last match because it will be a morale booster for us just before the start of the Test series.'' UNI